That’s the main takeaway from HSBC’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report, which surveyed nearly 3,000 business owners across 15 countries — including the US, UK, China, India, and Singapore — between April and May.
Globally, 59% of entrepreneurs said they’re thinking about moving assets overseas in the next year. Among all possible destinations, Singapore came out on top. HSBC says the city-state has become a financial safe haven in Asia, drawing wealth not just from nearby countries, but also from India and the Middle East.
Switzerland remains a favorite due to its long-standing reputation for private banking, while the UK continues to attract business owners looking for deep financial markets and international reach.
While wealthy individuals around the world are spreading their money across borders, Chinese entrepreneurs seem to be pulling back. In China, 38% of business owners plan to scale down their investments in real estate — a big shift after years of relying on property as their main source of wealth.
Meanwhile, money is no longer flowing between the US and China like it used to. Only 6% of Chinese entrepreneurs say they want to move money to the US, and just 1% of American business owners plan to invest in China.
This shift highlights a major change in globalization: while capital is still moving between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the US and China are drifting apart economically.
Despite global tensions and policy changes, entrepreneurs remain optimistic — 90% expect their wealth to grow. Many see AI and other tech innovations as key drivers of that growth, with 62% naming technology as their top business opportunity.
Wealth is also more mobile than ever. More than half of the entrepreneurs surveyed already live in multiple countries, and a similar number are thinking about adding new residencies.
As HSBC puts it: today’s global entrepreneurs are focused on diversifying their wealth. But in China, the mood is different — for many, the strategy now is to scale back and play it safe.
